Robin Reliant from the Spot

With the Premiership campaign long since petered out into the realms of disappointing, the Champions League gave us a fresh challenge and a chance to shake loose the cobwebs of our domestic entropy. The visit of I Lupi promised a more expansive game of a higher technical vintage than managed by the likes of Sunderland. There again, Sunderland aren`t privy to £30m worth of Champions League money every season. Arsenal bought in Abou Diaby for Alex Song but lined up slightly differently, with Bendtner playing on the left and Samir Nasri dropping into a central role behind van Persie. The shape seemed to lend something to our fluidity, with Diaby in midfield instead of Song; the ball was coming forwards with greater relish, and Bendtner and Nasri were dropping off into pockets of space. Some might point to the fact that Roma were slightly more adventurous than some Premiership sides have been, but Arsenal`s passing was notably crisper and more incisive, the ball was played at speed and players did not seem to be rocking back on their heels as usual, but poised on their toes. Had we played in this manner on Saturday we`d have comfortably disposed of Sunderland. Even Diaby and Eboue looked exceptional, full of verve and confidence and, importantly, work rate. People often forget, I often forget, how skilful a player Eboue actually is. Expressing those skills comes with confidence and it is probably counter productive for us to damage that confidence from the stands.

It was Eboue who was at the heart of our first move of the game as he played an intelligent ball into Nasri in the right channel, he sauntered towards the by-line and cut the ball back for Bendtner, the young Dane was in front of goal and poised to shoot, but the attention of Mexes made him hesitate slightly and take a touch at the last second, the result was that the touch was too heavy and the chance was gone. Arsenal were starting on the front foot- something we seem to have been immune from doing of late- I mentioned on Sunday that Arsenal have only registered twelve goals in the first half of home matches in the last fourteen months. Samir Nasri looked to swell that figure when he connected with Clichy`s left wing cross, but Nasri took his eye off the ball and headed wide. It left us wishing that Nasri had had Bendtner`s chance and vice versa. But at this level of competition teams will always give you a problem and Roma very nearly opened the scoring when Motta`s shot arrowed towards the top corner, only for Manuel Almunia to produce a world class save to tip it around the post. But the Gunners continued to attack unabated and got their just deserts on 37 minutes. Clichy and Bendtner linked up nicely on the left; Bendtner played a smart through ball to van Persie, who positioned himself between Mexes and Motta and invited the contact to win a penalty. Van Persie stepped up and hit an unstoppable low shot to Doni`s left with the keeper diving the wrong way.

The Gunners nearly moved into a two goal lead just sixty seconds later, van Persie once again taking up a favoured position of his in the channel between full back and centre half, he wriggled to the touchline and put in a low cross which Mexes just got to before Bendtner. Half time and a very satisfying display thus far, controlled and at a good tempo. Toure might have been wearing the armband, but Gallas was marshalling the troops at the back superbly, playing through the pain barrier at times. But the partnership of Toure and Gallas possibly reached its most ridiculous ebb for the second half kick off. With Gallas receiving treatment, Toure was reluctant to come back onto the field due to superstition. The referee insisted Arsenal kick off with nine men and Toure was booked for trying to re enter the field of play without permission. Fair enough on the part of the official, I only wish Premiership referees were authoritative enough to expel this gamesmanship. One`s mind wanders back to a match a few years ago between Chelsea and West Brom when Mourinho deliberately held his side back in the changing room, much to the annoyance of Bryan Robson. Had the referee that day not stood like a gormless twat with his thumb up his arse watching the whole thing, an unsavoury incident might have been avoided.

The confusion left us visibly shaken for the first couple of minutes of the half, but the Gunners again got hold of the game and created an absolutely gilt edged chance on 52 minutes. Eboue again found van Persie in the channel and his cross found Bendtner on the back post; he had time to take a touch but then lamentably lent back and scooped the ball over the bar from close range. Against opposition of this quality, chances such as this are often at a premium and simply must be taken. The chance gave Arsenal a sense of urgency once more and Doni was forced to beat out a low Diaby shot after clever footwork on the edge of the box. Another absolute sitting duck of an opportunity would present itself minutes later. Motta hit a sloppy back pass which Eboue latched onto, and with a clear shot presenting itself for around five seconds and the goal net winking at him, but he again lacked the sangfroid in the eighteen yard area and blasted the ball into the side netting. It was a great shame, because everything about his performance deserved a goal and would have gone a long way to repairing an incendiary relationship with the fans. Though it was notable that he was afforded a standing ovation when he went off. This was no politically correct move out of sympathy/ guilt for the Wigan game, this was heartfelt and sincere. A few more of these performances will see him mend that chasm permanently.

But having not taken their chances and then having lost the impetus and energy of Diaby in midfield, the match changed and Arsenal erred on the side of caution, which was not an unwise move. Last year`s painful exit to Liverpool should have taught them that there is a time for caution in this tournament. Van Persie looked drained upfront and without Diaby driving the midfield, our possession play was not quite so effective. Diaby showed last night what a fantastic player he could be if he tried a little harder. Unfortunately, he also showed his propensity towards injury once more. Roma came forwards, but with the back four expertly marshalled by a revitalised William Gallas and the midfield area patrolled unswervingly by Denilson, the Italians were offering a limited threat. I find it a desperate shame Arsenal fans don`t have the football intelligence to see what Denilson gives us. Had he been wandering around with `16 FLAMINI` emblazoned on his shirt since October I imagine the plaudits would have been rich and varied. I also dare say Flamini would have taken most of the credit for our run of clean sheets in 2009. Denilson is a subtle player whose positioning is faultless. Every time a loose ball breaks in midfield, take a look who is first on the scene. When an Arsenal player has the ball in a cul-de-sac, take a look at the first player on the scene to receive the ball. Unfortunately, supporters only ever tend to notice the midfielder that foams at the mouth and runs around like a headless chicken. It was the reason Gilberto was so criminally under rated for so many years and the only reason John Terry trades off any kind of reputation in our league as a world class defender.

Roma`s provided a sole heart fluttering moment through a very familiar source. Baptista- who had been as anonymous playing against us as he had ever been playing for us, was about three yards offside when he contested a header in the area, the ball fell invitingly onto the left foot of John Arne Riise whose low volley flew centimetres wide. Embarrassingly, the linesman awarded a corner when replays showed that Almunia wasn`t even close to the shot. In the end, 1-0 was a result I would have taken before the match, the clean sheet is crucial and the result means Roma must and will come at us at Stadio Olimpico, which should suit us down to the ground if we play our own game. Our record on Italian territory is peerless under Wenger and maybe if we can dot a few options onto the bench in the shape of Eduardo and Walcott we have an excellent chance in the second leg. The narrow margin is slightly tinged with regret though, as we really could and should have put the tie beyond the Romans but for lax finishing. At this level, the chances spurned by Bendtner and Eboue can be incredibly costly indeed. On a positive note, the manager has obviously worked on putting more urgency and conviction onto our play and that is a trait we will need to action again on Saturday when Fulham visit. No excuses about packed defences please, just move the ball with the same pace and vibrancy and we will win. It was also pleasing to see players whose ability has been oft questioned (by me certainly in some cases), such as Eboue, Diaby, Denilson and Gallas- whose dismal early season form is a distant memory- step up to the plate in a game of this size against this opposition. Once again, one may argue Roma played a more open game and there is an element of truth in that, but I noticed a swagger and authority in Diaby and Eboue that I haven`t seen in a long time. It invites the question why they don`t play with the same joie de vivre more often. Let`s hope the players show it again on Saturday. That and a touch more ruthlessness in front of goal will see us be a more formidable side than we have shown this season. It`s frustrating because Arsenal show the component parts of a good side on occasion, we just rarely show them all at the same time. Some times we can be dogged, some times we can be fluid, some times we can be clinical, and sometimes we can be solid. If Wenger can work all of those ingredients into the same dish, we may have a tasty team on our hands. If he cannot, it is unlikely the likes of Diaby and Eboue will have any Champions League games next year in which to raise their game.LD.

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As I said the other day, The CL is a distraction for us, and the games leading up to the tie are often uncommitted affairs. I expected us to put on a good performance last night, and aside form some sloppy finishing efforts, we certainly got that. Hopefully, with a two week break from the CL, we should turn in a decent performance, at least, this weekend.

Don't wanna moan for the sake of it... but the Italian's diving was pathetic and embarrassing! Thought Bendtner had a good game and that's the best save i've seen Almunia pull off... Gallas has been formiddable the last few games as well. With a full team out there we would've smashed them out of sight.

LD, completely agree with you regarding Denilson and Flamini. All player's take time to settle into a new role, and now that Denislon has, he's a very valuable player. What some people also forget, is that had Flamini this season with a nice secure contract would not be the same as Flamini last season giving 110% and playing for the future of his career.

It was good that most players showed that they have the quality if not the consistency and, at times, the composure. Both are characteristics that can be acquired - and will need to be if we are to achieve as much as we wish. Bendtner needs to work on his 'chocolate leg' as much as RvP has on his.

Great write-up, LD. Esp. interesting was your observation that the manager has instructed the players to increase the tempo. Without it we become totally predictable and are very easy for the Sunderlands of the world to figure out. I was very happy to hear that Diaby was available for the game and would partner Denilson in midfield. If we'd had that pair in midfield on Saturday, we would've won the game. I also wanted to point out that as poor as Bendtner was in his finishing, he worked very hard and gave Roma trouble all game long. I don't think Vela gave Roma as much trouble as he did. It was also dramatic to see the difference between how we looked when Song came on and Diaby went off. I understand AW's caution in choosing Song but ironically I worried we'd concede when he came on because of the way he slows things down, whereas before he came on I didn't worry as much. Roma looked just as incapable of scoring as we did. And btw, Roma were dreadful. And they're the in-form team in Serie A! We played very well last night and were the only team to win. Let's just hope AW's great track recored against Italian teams continues at the Olimpico.

I think last night shows why Song and Denilson should not play together. Without Song Denilson is able to play is own DM game and was quality. With Song he is forced to play further forward and is nowhere near as effective. I also thought Bentner was good last night, finishing aside that is!!

I was thinking about the Baptista tackle on Diaby. I've not seen it back yet, but I seem to remember those two having an on pitch barney when Diaby was through on goal against Bolton, Baptista tackled him and then missed. Afters maybe?

Denilson has quietly saved our season. We would be nowhere had Song or Diaby played instead of him. And we have to consider our injuries at this time. Arshavin, Eduardo and Fabregas would kill teams off. They would literally **** some of these teams up the rear.

Your last sentence sums it up perfectly LD - seems like some of our players can only really get motivated for some games and not others. We really could do with Eduardo back, he could really make a real difference.

Great write up, great game, shame the scoreline didn't reflect the immense effort ploughed in to this game. That formation was something out of the blue and something that I hope can also be utilized effectively in the premiership. Kudos to Eboue for working his arse off. End product still sorely lacking, but like we have said, put the shift in, and the fans will appreciate it.

Thank godness someone else rates Denilson as much as I do. I was starting to think I was imagining it :p
I've got three others reasons I suspect people don't rate him:
- He has been played out of position a number of times and hasn't always looked comfortable as a winger etc. People seem to remember these performances
- At the start of the season he was caught out of position quite often as he had the dendancy to push forward or try do be too clever with his passing. He has since focused his game on the defensive side more and looked very very solid
- He wasn't a part of the midfield from last year, and because we are performing considerably worse than last year the blame falls on the 'new guy'
But for the vast majority of the season, whenever he has been partnered with a creative midfielder, he really has been excellent in my eyes.

I think that there is an element of bias against him because of the way he looks, a tall player like Gilberto and Vieira look better, when they do something it is applauded because they are bigger, even Alex Song gets more compliments per tackle than Denilson, and Flamini was a mad man, always gets a cheer, even if he conceded a free kcik.

Thanks for this write-up. Like to share my thoughts on 2 points - agreed that Bendtner worked very hard, but I feel that he hadn't fully capitalise (scoring wise) the ample opportunities presented to him (thru Ade's injury), his first touch was generally not good enough and his positioning and anticipation esp in the six-yard box did not meet the mark of an accomplished finisher - these I feel were evidenced in the few chances he missed in the match. On Denilson - very good points made which also made me wonder - why do fans feel this way and agreed that Flamini was not missed after a match we won but when we don't (win), fans and critics wasted no time continue harping and accusing that AW erred by letting Flam goes and not properly replacing the resultant void in DM?

What worries me about Bendtner is that he played very effectively out on the wing, but when he moved inside to where he would normally play is when he made his mistakes. I don't think playing out of position is a good excuse for his troubles yesterday.

There is no excuse for not having a a good 1st touch, that said he bendtner did his job which was required to make this system work which was the most important thing. Sometimes I think we get carried away with the performance of individulas, how many times have england tried to shoe horn all their best players in to the same team only to fail? They all will scream next time stuart downing is selected forgetting that he gives the side the requied balance to perform as a team.

Bendtner's first touch is not to bad, it is fantastic when compared to the lazy Ade!
Eboue had an OK game, in my book he should be playing at that standard every week, but alas that was an exceptional game bu his usual standards, how far our expectations have fallen!

Great write up. Very useful coz I missed the game. A 1-0 lead is dicey, but atleast Roma will be forced to come at us in the return leg. I always fancy our chances in our away games and somehow, doesnt seem like a huge factor when we play. There are some good things to look forward to, the CL is one of them during a dismal league campaign.

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